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Irl Hirsch, MD and Cora Espina Erickson, ARNP, CWCN, of the University of Washington, are authors of a new study published in the medical journal, Bone Marrow Transplantation, demonstrating that stringent glucose control among transplant patients is feasible using Glucommander, the computer-guided glucose management system from Glytec. According to Hirsch, “Up until now, most thought it would be difficult to even consider a clinical trial to assess if glucose control could impact outcomes, including mortality, because our insulin protocols were not robust enough to deal with the high-dose steroids, TPN, and occasional eating all at the same time. The Glucommander system showed in our feasibility study it is indeed possible to control glycemia in this population." (Photo: Business Wire).

Irl Hirsch, MD and Cora Espina Erickson, ARNP, CWCN, of the University of Washington, are authors of a new study published in the medical journal, Bone Marrow Transplantation, demonstrating that stringent glucose control among transplant patients is feasible using Glucommander, the computer-guided glucose management system from Glytec. According to Hirsch, “Up until now, most thought it would be difficult to even consider a clinical trial to assess if glucose control could impact outcomes, including mortality, because our insulin protocols were not robust enough to deal with the high-dose steroids, TPN, and occasional eating all at the same time. The Glucommander system showed in our feasibility study it is indeed possible to control glycemia in this population." (Photo: Business Wire).

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As a pioneer in technology for glycemic management, Glytec is pleased to
share the results of a recent studyconducted at the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. The
prospective study, led by Cora Espina Erickson, ARNP, CWCN and published
by Bone Marrow Transplantation,1demonstrates
that stringent glucose control among allogeneic hematopoietic cell
transplantation (HCT) patients is feasible using Glucommander(TM), the
computer-guided glucose management system from Glytec.

Glucommander is the only technology solution on the market that has
received FDA clearance (as a Class II medical device) for intravenous
and subcutaneous insulin dosing in the treatment of patients both with
and without diabetes. Healthcare provider organizations are able to
access Glucommander through Glytec’s eGlycemic
Management System®, or eGMS®, software-as-a-service. For maximum
efficiency and ease of use, Glucommander is most typically integrated
with an electronic medical record (EMR) system.

Past studies of HCT patients offer emerging evidence of associations
between malglycemia (hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia and glycemic
variability) and poor outcomes, including increased rates of
non-relapsed mortality (NRM) as high as 20-30%, acute graft versus host
disease (GvHD), infections, and organ dysfunction. The team of
researchers behind the Espina et al. study hypothesized that
stringent glucose control, with prevention of hypoglycemia and glycemic
variability, could improve these outcomes for hospitalized HCT patients.

According to Irl
B. Hirsch, MD, one of the University of Washington researchers on
the Espina et al. study and a luminary in the field of
metabolics, "The treatment of steroid-induced hyperglycemia during graft
versus host disease in bone marrow transplant patients on the surface
seems like it would be important. Up until now, most thought it would be
difficult to even consider a clinical trial to assess if glucose control
could impact outcomes, including mortality, because our insulin
protocols were not robust enough to deal with the high-dose steroids,
TPN, and occasional eating all at the same time. The Glucommander system
showed in our feasibility study it is indeed possible to control
glycemia in this population."

Patients enrolled in the Espina et. al. study underwent
allogeneic HCT at the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, were age 18 or older and
satisfied one of two criteria regarding glycemic history: (a) they
required insulin therapy due to a known history of type 2 diabetes, or
(B) they had experienced two episodes of blood glucose above 180 mg/dL
or one episode above 250 mg/dL. Patients who were critically ill
(intensive care unit status), terminally ill, had type 1 diabetes or an
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group classification greater than 3 were
excluded.

The median blood glucose at initiation of the computer-guided glucose
management (i.e., the first reading while on Glucommander) was 244
mg/dL. All patients reached a conventional blood glucose range of 80-180
mg/dL at a median of 3.8 hours, most reached the target range of 100-140
mg/dL at a median of 6 hours, and no severe episodes of hypoglycemia
(<40 mg/dL) were detected. Patients maintained the target range 61% of
the time while on Glucommander. In comparison, patients were within the
target range only 0.58% of the time during the 24 hours prior to
initiation of Glucommander and 20.95% of the time during the 24 hours
after completion of Glucommander.

Glytec’s Vice President of Quality Affairs, Raymie
McFarland, says, “Our company appreciates the spirit and dedication
of Cora Espina Erickson and all researchers associated with this study.
We recognize the importance of stringent glycemic management for HCT
patients, especially in light of high-dose steroids and the need to
treat steroid-induced hyperglycemia. We are extremely pleased and
excited to see that our Glucommander system proved efficacious.”

As a leading innovator in the care of patients with diabetes, Glytec
is pioneering the way hospitals and health systems use technology to
ensure optimal glucose control and reduce the frequency, risks and costs
of hyperglycemia
and hypoglycemia.
The company, founded in 2006, has developed a comprehensive eGlycemic
Management System®, or eGMS®,
which centers on the only FDA-cleared insulin dosing solution able to
support intravenous and subcutaneous therapy for adult and pediatric
populations across the entire care continuum. The eGMS® offers
personalized clinical decision support that seamlessly integrates with
EMR systems for streamlined use in all inpatient and outpatient
settings. It also integrates with connected devices for at-home,
provider-directed care managed through telehealth, population health and
other value-based programs. The eGMS®
employs a cloud-hosted software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivery model,
allowing for rapid implementation and anytime/anywhere access. The
efficacy of the eGMS®,
including its ability to substantively improve clinical and financial
outcomes, has been validated by more
than 55 published studies. Results have included dramatic reductions
in lengths of stay, readmissions and A1c levels. Glytec currently holds
five U.S. patents and has more than 30 U.S. and international patents
pending. The company has offices in Waltham, Massachusetts and
Greenville, South Carolina. For more information, visit www.glytecsystems.com.